Display case for powdered products comprising a lid and at least one device for braking the movement of the lid

ABSTRACT

The display case ( 14 ) for powdered products ( 12 ) according to the invention comprises a receptacle ( 16 ) suitable for receiving powdered products ( 12 ), and a lid ( 18 ) rotatably mounted on the receptacle ( 16 ), the lid ( 18 ) being able to be moved by rotation in a first movement intended to bring the lid ( 18 ) closer to the container ( 16 ) to close the case ( 14 ), and in a second movement designed to move the lid ( 18 ) away from the receptacle ( 16 ) to open the case ( 14 ). The display case ( 14 ) comprises at least one device ( 20 ) for braking at least one movement of the lid ( 18 ) from among said first and second movements.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a display case for powdered products, of the type including a receptacle suitable for receiving powdered products, and a lid rotatably mounted on the receptacle, the lid being able to be moved by rotation in a first movement intended to bring the lid closer to the container to close the case, and in a second movement designed to move the lid away from the receptacle to open the case.

The present invention also relates to a box comprising such a case.

The invention in particular applies to powder compact display cases containing makeup powder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A box system comprising a display case of the aforementioned type and several powder compacts containing makeup powder is known. The receptacle of the case is suitable for receiving the powder compacts. Such powder compacts are traditionally provided without a lid.

However, when the case is opened or closed, the powder from the powder compacts may fly away, due to a blowing effect on the power caused by the movement of the lid relative to the receptacle. Such an effect deteriorates the appearance of the powder compacts on their outer surface, causes a loss of make-up, and is detrimental to user comfort for users wishing to access the powder compacts inside the case.

This results in a need to provide the display case with an additional transparent protective plate, designed to protect the powder compacts from the aforementioned blowing effect. Such an additional element increases the manufacturing cost of the case. Furthermore, such an additional protective plate is relatively impractical and does not allow easy access to the powder contained in the powder compacts inside the case.

One aim of the invention is therefore to propose a display case for powdered products making it possible to eliminate the blowing effect due to the movement of the lid relative to the receptacle, without requiring the addition of additional protective elements of the protective plate type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To that end, the invention relates to a display case of the aforementioned type, the case comprising at least one device for braking at least one movement of the lid from among said first and second movements.

According to other embodiments, the display case comprises one or more of the following features, considered alone or according to any technically possible combinations:

-   -   the lid comprises articulating means on the receptacle at a zone         extending near one of its longitudinal edges, and the case         comprises two braking devices, each braking device being secured         both to the receptacle and the region of the lid adjacent to         said longitudinal edge;     -   the or each braking device comprises a toothed element, fastened         to one of the receptacle and the lid, and a rotating damper         fastened to the other of the receptacle and the lid, the         rotating damper comprising a pinion capable of cooperating with         the toothed element;     -   the toothed element comprises a rail provided with a rectilinear         rack extending longitudinally on the rail;     -   the receiving rail is substantially U-shaped, the rectilinear         rack being arranged on one of the inner side faces of the rail,         the other inner side face of the rail forming a linear guide         surface of the pinion, the pinion being gripped between the         rectilinear rack and the linear guide surface;     -   the receiving rail is mounted hinged on an inner surface of the         lid;     -   the toothed element comprises a crown provided with teeth         extending longitudinally on its inner face;     -   the rotating damper comprises a stator and a rotor rotatably         mounted in the stator, the rotor comprising a shaft connected to         the pinion, the volume between the stator and the rotor being         filled with a viscous fluid, preferably silicone grease;     -   the or each braking device comprises a lug protruding on a         surface of one of the receptacle and the lid, and two friction         pads arranged across from one another and supported by the other         of the receptacle and the lid, the two pads delimiting a         receiving slot for the lug gripped between the two pads to         produce friction on the lug, each pad protruding from an inner         surface of the panel and extending at the insertion slot, the         distance between the two pads being substantially smaller than         the width of the lug.

The invention also relates to a box comprising a display case for powdered products and a plurality of powder compacts containing a makeup powder, each powder compact having no lid, in which the case is as defined above, each powder compact being arranged in the receptacle of the case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

These features and advantages of the invention will appear upon reading the following description, provided solely as an example and non-limitingly, and done in reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a box comprising a display case for powdered products according to a first embodiment of the invention, the case comprising a lid and two braking devices for braking a movement of the lid;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along plane II-II of FIG. 1, in the closed position of the lid;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing a first alternative embodiment of the braking devices of the display case of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a close-up perspective view of one of the braking devices of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing a second alternative embodiment of the braking devices of the display case of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view in plane VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing the left half of the display case according to the second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view in plane VIII-VIII of FIG. 7, in the closed position of the lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the rest of the description, the terms “front”, “back”, “right”, “left”, “top”, “bottom”, “transverse”, “horizontal” and “vertical” are to be understood in reference to a system of orthogonal axes shown in the figures and having:

-   -   a transverse axis X oriented from back to front,     -   a horizontal axis Y oriented from right to left, and     -   a vertical axis Z oriented from bottom to top.

FIG. 1 shows a box 10 according to the invention comprising eight powder compacts 12 and a display case 14 for the power compacts 12. Each powder compact 12 is for example formed by a circular cup containing the makeup powder in loose form. Alternatively, each powder compact 12 contains makeup powder in a compact form. In the example embodiment of FIG. 1, each powder compact 12 has no lid.

The case 14 traditionally includes a receptacle 16 suitable for receiving the powder compacts 12, and a lid 18 rotatably mounted on the receptacle 16. The lid 18 can be moved by rotation in a first movement designed to bring the lid 18 closer to the receptacle 16 to close the case 14, and in a second movement designed to move the lid 18 away from the receptacle 16 to open the case 14, as outlined hereinafter.

The case 14 further includes at least one braking device 20 for braking at least one movement of the lid 18 among the first and second movements. In the example embodiment of FIG. 1, the case 14 comprises two devices 20 for braking first and second movements of the lid 18.

The receptacle 16 comprises a display face 25A and four side surfaces 25B. The display face 25A is situated above the side surfaces 25B, and defines a plane substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction. The display face 25A comprises a lower surface 26A and an upper surface 26B.

The display face 25A defines, at its upper surface 26B, eight locations 27 for receiving powder compacts 12, each powder compact 12 being received in a location 27 of the face 25A. The display face 25A comprises two T-shaped openings 28. Each T-shaped opening 28 crosses through the display face 25A from its upper surface 26B to its lower surface 26A, and extends near a rear corner of the display face 25A.

The lid 18 is for example formed by a rectangular panel with dimensions substantially equal to those of the display face 25A. The lid 18 is mounted rotating on the receptacle 16, around an axis of rotation A-A′ extending near the rear edge 30 of the lid 18. The lid 18 comprises articulating means 29 on the receptacle 16, at a zone extending near its rear edge 30. In the example embodiment of FIG. 1, the articulating means 29 include two metal shafts 31 allowing the lid 18 to be articulated on the receptacle 16, as is known in itself. Each metal shaft 31 extends at one end of the rear edge 30 of the lid 18 and is engaged in an appendage protruding from the upper surface 26B of the display face 25A.

In an alternative that is not shown, the articulating means 29 include a longitudinal hinge provided with a thin web of a deformable material. The longitudinal hinge extends over all or part of the length of the rear edge 30 of the lid 18, thereby connecting the lid 18 to the receptacle 16.

In the example embodiment of FIG. 1, the direction defined by the two metal shafts 31 forms the axis of rotation A-A′. The lid 18 is thus capable of being folded down toward the receptacle 16 along a first movement in the direction of the arrow F1 of FIG. 1, until reaching the closed position. The lid 18 is also capable of being separated from the receptacle 16 along its second movement in the direction of the arrow F2 of FIG. 1, until reaching an open position.

Each braking device 20 is fastened on the one hand to the receptacle 16 and on the other hand to the lid 18. In the example embodiment of FIG. 1, each braking device 20 is fastened on the one hand on a zone adjacent to the rear horizontal edge 31A of the display face 25A of the receptacle 16, and on the other hand on a zone adjacent to the rear edge 30 of the lid 18. More specifically, each braking device 20 is fastened on the one hand at a rear corner of the receptacle 16, and on the other hand at a rear corner of the lid 18, as described hereinafter.

Each braking device 20 comprises a rotating damper 32 fastened to the receptacle 16, and a toothed element 34 fastened to the lid 18. In an alternative that is not shown, the rotating damper 32 is fastened to the lid 18, and the toothed element 34 is fastened to the receptacle 16.

The rotating damper 32 traditionally includes a pinion 36, a stator, a rotor 40, and a protective shell 42. The pinion 36 is capable of cooperating with the toothed element 34, as described hereinafter.

The stator and rotor 40 are arranged in the protective shell 42. The rotor 40 is rotatably mounted in the stator. The rotor 40 comprises a shaft 44 connected to the pinion 36, through an opening formed in the shell 42. The pinion 36, secured to the shaft 44, thus extends outside the protective shell 42. The pinion 36 extends near an outer face of the shell 42, as illustrated in FIG. 2, in which the powder compacts 12 are not shown for clarity reasons. A space is formed between the stator and rotor 40.

The volume defined by the space delimited between the stator and the rotor 40 is advantageously filled with a viscous fluid. The viscous fluid is for example silicone grease, having a viscosity coefficient comprised between 1 Pa·s and 10 Pa·s, preferably substantially equal to 7.5 Pa·s.

The protective shell 42 is for example provided with two orifices 48 extending on either side of the stator and the rotor 40. Each orifice 48 allows the passage of a screw (not shown) for fastening the rotating damper 32 on a side surface 25B of the receptacle 16, for example near a rear corner of the receptacle 16.

The rotating damper 32 makes it possible to dissipate part of the kinetic energy from the rotor 40, by viscous friction of the rotor 40 in the viscous fluid, for both directions of rotation of the rotor 40 relative to the stator.

In the example embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the toothed element 34 comprises a rail 50 for receiving the pinion 36. The rail 50 has a substantially U-shaped section and includes a bottom wall 52 and two side walls 54A, 54B extending on either side of the bottom wall 52. The rail 50 is provided with a rectilinear rack 56, which extends over the inner face of a first side wall 54A of the rail 50. The rail 50 also includes an eyelet 58 protruding from a longitudinal edge of the bottom wall 52. The center of the eyelet 58 is pierced. This allows the passage of a shaft 59 for fastening the rail 50 on the inner surface of the lid 18, via T-shaped openings 28, for example near a rear corner of the lid 18. The rail 50 is thus mounted articulated on the inner surface of the lid 18. The rail 50 extends through one of the T-shaped openings 28 and is capable of moving through an opening 28 in the vertical and transverse directions, via the movement of the lid 18.

The rectilinear rack 56 is attached on the inner face of the first side wall 54A and extends longitudinally from one edge of the side wall 54A to the other.

The second side wall 54B, which extends across from the first side wall 54A, forms a linear guide surface of the pinion 36.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the pinion 36 is gripped between the rectilinear rack 56 and the linear guide surface 54B. The rectilinear rack 56 cooperates with the pinion 36 such that when the rack 56 moves relative to the receptacle 16, the latter rotates the pinion 36, and therefore rotates the shaft 44 of the rotor 40.

Each device 20 makes it possible to damp the first and second movements of the lid 18, by viscous friction of the rotor 40 and the viscous fluid, via the cooperation between the rectilinear rack 56 and the rotating damper 32. The movement of the lid 18 relative to the receptacle 16 is thus slowed relative to a display case of the prior art not including a braking device.

According to an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the toothed element 34 no longer comprises a rail 50 or a rectilinear rack 56, and the display face 25A no longer comprises T-shaped openings 28.

According to this alternative embodiment, the lid 18 comprises two end arms 64 and the receptacle 16 comprises two indentations 66. Each end arm 64 protrudes from the inner surface of the lid 18, at a rear corner of the lid 18, and extends toward the rear of the lid 18 when the latter is closed on the receptacle 16. Each rotating damper 32 is fastened on the inner face of an end arm 64, for example using two fastening screws.

Each metal shaft 31 extends from the inner face of an end arm and is engaged in a side face of the receptacle 16. The axis of rotation A-A′ thus crosses through the two end arms 64, perpendicular thereto.

Each indentation 66 is formed on a side face of the receptacle 16, at a rear corner of the receptacle 16. Each indentation 66 is suitable for allowing the passage of an end arm 64, during the movement of the lid 18 relative to the receptacle 16.

As shown in FIG. 4, each toothed element 34 comprises a crown 68 driving a pinion 36. The driving crown 68 includes two outer 70A and inner 70B faces, opposite one another. The inner face 70B is capable of cooperating with the pinion 36 and is provided with teeth 72 that extend longitudinally from one end of the driving crown 68 to the other end.

The crown 68 forms a quarter circle and is arranged in an indentation 66 of the receptacle 16. The crown 68 is attached against the flank of the receptacle 16, such that the center of the crown 68 is situated on the axis of rotation A-A′. Thus, the inner face 70B of the crown 68, provided with teeth 72, is capable of cooperating with the pinion 36 such that when the pinion 36 moves relative to the crown 68, the pinion 36 is rotated by the teeth 72 of the crown 68, and the shaft 44 of the rotor 40 is thus also rotated.

According to another alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the toothed elements 34 no longer comprise a rail 50 or a rectilinear rack 56, the lid 18 no longer comprises articulating means 29, and the display face 25A no longer comprises T-shaped openings 28. According to this alternative embodiment, the display face 25A comprises two rectangular openings 74, and the case 14 further comprises a stop 75.

Each rectangular opening 74 for example extends near a rear corner of the display face 25A.

The stop 75 is formed by a rectangular panel fastened on the upper surface 26B of the display face 25A, along the rear horizontal edge of the receptacle 16. The rectangular panel 75 has a length and a height that are substantially equal to those of the lid 18, but with a smaller width, the width being measured in the transverse direction. The rectangular panel 75 is arranged on the receptacle 16 such that when the lid 18 is folded down on the receptacle 16, the rear edge 30 of the lid 18 extends along the front horizontal edge 76 of the panel 75, parallel thereto.

Each toothed element 34 comprises a crown 68 driving the pinion 36. Unlike the preceding alternative embodiment, each driving crown 68 is fastened by one of its longitudinal ends on the inner surface of the lid 18. The other end of the driving crown 68 is free. The driving crown 68 thus extends through one of the rectangular openings 74 and is capable of moving through that opening 74, the center of the driving crown 68 being situated on the axis of rotation A-A′ of the lid 18 relative to the receptacle 16.

As shown in FIG. 6, the inner face 70B of the crown 68 is capable of cooperating with the pinion 36 such that when the crown 68 moves relative to the pinion 36, it rotates the pinion 36, and therefore rotates the shaft 44 of the rotor 40.

The stop 75 makes it possible to avoid any disarticulation between the lid 18 and the receptacle 16 when the lid 18 is separated from the receptacle 16. In fact, when the lid 18 is separated from the receptacle 16 along its second movement in the direction of the arrow F2 in FIG. 5, the lid 18 reaches a blocking position on the stop 75 before the crown 68 becomes disengaged from the pinion 36. This blocking position is illustrated in FIG. 6.

According to another alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the toothed elements 34 no longer comprise a rail 50 or a rectilinear rack 56, and the display face 25A no longer comprises T-shaped openings 28. According to this alternative embodiment, the display face 25A comprises two transverse slots.

Each toothed element 34 comprises a curved rack fastened by one of its longitudinal ends on the inner surface of the lid 18. The other end of the curved rack is free. The curved rack thus extends through one of the transverse slots and is capable of moving through that slot. The curved rack is provided with teeth on its front face and is arranged such that the teeth cooperate with the pinion 36.

When a user opens or closes the display case 14, she moves the lid 18 relative to the receptacle 16, by rotation around the axis A-A along the first or second movement of the lid 18. In so doing, the movements of the lid 18 are damped, by viscous friction of the rotor 40 in the viscous fluid. This slowing of the movements of the lid 18 makes it possible to prevent the powder from the powder compacts 12 from being blown outside case 14.

One can see that the display case 14 according to the first embodiment of the invention makes it possible to eliminate the blowing effect due to the movement of the lid 18 relative to the receptacle 16, without requiring the addition of additional protective elements of the protective plate type.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention, for which the elements similar to the first embodiment previously described are identified using identical references, and are therefore not described again.

Unlike the first embodiment, the two braking devices 20 of the display case 14 according to the second embodiment no longer comprise a rotating damper 32, or a toothed element 34.

Each braking device 20 comprises a base 82 secured to the receptacle 16 and a lug 84 secured to the lid 18. More specifically, in the example embodiment of FIG. 7, the base 82 is secured to the upper surface 26B of the display face 25A and the lug 84 protrudes from the inner surface of the lid 18. In the example embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, the base 82 is fastened by gluing on the upper surface 26B of the display face 25A. In an alternative that is not shown, the base 82 is secured to the lid 18, and the lug 84 is secured to the receptacle 16.

The display face 25A of the receptacle 16 defines two cavities 85 that are substantially parallelepiped, as illustrated in FIG. 8, which shows one of the two cavities 85. The display face 25A is provided with two rectangular openings 86, each rectangular opening 86 extending over a bottom wall of a cavity 85 and crossing through the display face 25A from its upper surface 26B to its lower surface 26A. Each rectangular opening 86 extends near the rear horizontal edge 31A of the receptacle 16, the longer side of the rectangular opening 86 extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rear horizontal edge.

Each base 82 comprises a panel 88 substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction, a transverse slot 90 delimited in the panel 88, and two pads 92.

The panel 88 has dimensions substantially equal to those of each cavity 85.

The transverse slot 90 has a length substantially equal to that of each rectangular opening 86, but a smaller width, the width being measured in the horizontal direction.

Each pad 92 protrudes downward from the inner surface of the panel 88, in a plane substantially perpendicular to that of the panel 88, at the transverse slot 90. Each pad 92 is fastened to the panel 88 by a rigid transverse link. Alternatively, each pad 92 is integral with the panel 88.

Each pad 92 comprises a substantially thinner upper portion 93A and a thicker lower portion 93B, the thickness being measured in the horizontal direction.

The two pads 92 of the same base 82 are arranged across from one another and are received in a same rectangular opening 86, the space between the upper portions 93A of the two pads 92 forming the transverse slot 90 of the base 82. Thus, the transverse slot 90 of each base 82 extends across from the rectangular opening 86, and is centered relative to that opening 86.

As shown in FIG. 8, the space delimited between the lower portions 93B of the two opposite pads 92 has a width smaller than that of the associated transverse slot 90.

Each lug 84 has two side faces 94 extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the horizontal direction, the distance between the side faces 94 representing the width of the lug 84. Each lug 84 is capable of being received in a transverse slot 90 of a base 82, as well as in the space delimited between the lower portions 93B of the two pads 92 of the base 82, within the rectangular opening 86 arranged across from the slot 90.

The two pads 92 of the same base 82 are arranged such that the distance between the lower portions 93B of the two pads 92 is substantially smaller than the width of the lug 84, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

The lugs 84, the panels 88 and the pads 92 are for example made from a plastic material.

When a user closes the display case 14 from the open position of the lid 18 to its closed position, the side faces 94 of each lug 84 rub against the lower portions 93B of the pads 92 of the associated base 82, over a final part of the first movement of the lid 18. Likewise, when the user opens the display case 14 from the closed position of the lid 18 to its open position, the side faces 94 of each lug 84 rub against the lower portions 93B of the pads 92 of the associated base 82, over an initial part of the first movement of the lid 18. The first and second movements of the lid 18 are thus damped via the mechanical friction of the lugs 84 against the pads 92.

The advantages of the second embodiment of the display case 14 are identical to those of the first embodiment, and will therefore not be described again.

One can thus see that the display case 14 according to the invention makes it possible to eliminate the blowing effect due to the movement of the lid 18 relative to the receptacle 16, without requiring the addition of additional protective elements of the protective plate type.

The description has been done in reference to a braking device for the first and second movements of the lid. One skilled in the art will of course understand that the braking device for the display case according to the invention may only be suitable for damping one movement of the lid from among the first and second movements, without going beyond the scope of the invention.

The description has been done in reference to a powder compact display case. It is, however, understood that the invention also applies to any display case for containers of powdered products, in particular containers of makeup powder, and more generally any display case for powdered products. The invention also applies to any powdered product display case comprising a device for braking the first movement of the lid. 

1. A display case for powdered products, comprising a receptacle suitable for receiving powdered products, and a lid rotatably mounted on the receptacle, the lid being able to be moved by rotation in a first movement intended to bring the lid closer to the container to close the case, and in a second movement designed to move the lid away from the receptacle to open the case, wherein it comprises at least one device for braking at least one movement of the lid from among said first and second movements.
 2. The case according to claim 1, wherein the lid comprises articulating means on the receptacle at a zone extending near one of its longitudinal edges, and wherein the case (14) comprises two braking devices, each braking device being secured both to the receptacle and the region of the lid adjacent to said longitudinal edge.
 3. The case according to claim 1, wherein each braking device comprises a toothed element, fastened to one of the receptacle and the lid, and a rotating damper fastened to the other of the receptacle and the lid, the rotating damper comprising a pinion capable of cooperating with the toothed element.
 4. The case according to claim 3, wherein the toothed element comprises a rail provided with a rectilinear rack extending longitudinally on the rail.
 5. The case according to claim 4, wherein the receiving rail is substantially U-shaped, the rectilinear rack being arranged on one of the inner side faces of the rail, the other inner side face of the rail forming a linear guide surface of the pinion, the pinion being gripped between the rectilinear rack and the linear guide surface.
 6. The case according to claim 4, wherein the receiving rail is mounted hinged on an inner surface of the lid.
 7. The case according to claim 3, wherein the toothed element comprises a crown provided with teeth extending longitudinally on its inner face.
 8. The case according to claim 7, wherein the rotating damper comprises a stator and a rotor rotatably mounted in the stator, the rotor comprising a shaft connected to the pinion, the volume between the stator and the rotor being filled with a viscous fluid, preferably silicone grease.
 9. The case according to claim 1, wherein each braking device comprises a lug protruding on a surface of one of the receptacle and the lid, and two friction pads arranged across from one another and supported by the other of the receptacle and the lid, the two pads delimiting a receiving slot for the lug gripped between the two pads to produce friction on the lug, each pad protruding from an inner surface of the panel and extending in front of the insertion slot, the distance between the two pads being substantially smaller than the width of the lug.
 10. A box comprising a display case for powdered products and a plurality of powder compacts containing a makeup powder, each powder compact having no lid, wherein the case is according to claim 1, each powder compact being arranged in the receptacle of the case. 